Parkland Moves Closer To Ban On Driver Texting

City Commission Gives Initial Approval To Proposal

Final Vote Could Be Sept. 23

September 15, 2009|By Lisa J. Huriash Staff Writer

PARKLAND —

The City Commission on Monday gave initial and unanimous approval to the ban, citing a recent study by the Virginia Transportation Institute that showed drivers who text while behind the wheel are 23 times as likely to crash as other drivers.

Parkland would be the first city in Broward to enact such a ban - if it passes a final vote that could come as early as Sept. 23. The law would go into effect immediately.

"It sends a good message," said Parkland Mayor Michael Udine. "["

While on-duty police or fire officials would be exempt from the ban, anyone else could face a fine of as much as $100.

Commissioner Jared Moskowitz said he was approached by a group of teenagers who were trying to educate their peers about the dangers.

"They have been in cars where kids were texting while driving and there's been some close calls," he said.

It's part of a movement gaining steam. Already 17 states ban the practice, including Maryland, New Jersey and Illinois. In California, the fine for the first offense is $20.

And in Miami-Dade last week, commissioners endorsed a resolution that would make it illegal to text on cell phones or Blackberrys while driving in school zones, possibly the first such ban in Florida.

It will need another vote to become law. Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez told The Miami Herald that he came up with the idea while dropping his children off at school one day. He saw another driver texting - and almost hit a child.

"That's a recipe for disaster," he said.

Efforts to enact a statewide ban in Florida have failed, despite a two-year effort by state Sen. Ted Deutch, D- Boca Raton. Cell phone companies lobbied against the ban. Deutch said the topic is expected to be on the legislative agenda again next year.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008.

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